Amid the ongoing debate in Europe over data security and digital sovereignty, Amazon’s cloud unit Amazon Web Services (AWS) has taken an important step. The company announced on Thursday the launch of a completely Europe-based new cloud service, AWS European Sovereign Cloud. This service has been designed specifically for European customers for whom the protection of sensitive data and control under local laws are most important.
According to AWS, this new cloud infrastructure will be completely separate from its other systems located in the US, not only physically but also legally. The company says the aim of this initiative is to provide European customers with a cloud solution that is not directly affected by US laws and in which data remains fully secure within Europe’s borders.
Full capability even while staying separate from the US
According to Michael Hanisch, Chief Technology Officer of AWS Germany, this European Sovereign Cloud will continue to function smoothly even if, for some reason, the European Union’s internet becomes disconnected from the US or if the US imposes restrictions on software exports. This directly means that all work related to data processing, storage, and system operations will be able to continue fully independently within Europe.
The company claims that the purpose of this design is to prevent disruption of services for European customers despite potential technical or legal obstacles. According to AWS, this cloud has been built with a separate architecture and operating model, keeping Europe’s requirements in mind.
Reason behind growing distance from US cloud companies
Over the past few years, there has been growing unease in Europe over the increasing influence of US tech companies and their access to data. In particular, questions have repeatedly been raised about US laws under which American authorities can demand access to data stored abroad from US companies. In this context, many European institutions and government agencies are turning toward cloud options that operate entirely within the scope of local laws.
AWS’s new sovereign cloud has been introduced with this demand in mind. The company says this will give European customers greater control over their data and a more reliable option.
Other US giants also in the competition
AWS is not the only company trying to build trust in Europe. Microsoft has already said that, upon request, it stores European customers’ data only in data centers located in Europe. Similarly, Google, which is a unit of Alphabet, announced last year an investment of 5.5 billion euros for data centers in Germany.
Start from Germany, investment of billions of euros
The first data center of AWS European Sovereign Cloud is being built in the state of Brandenburg in Germany, located around Berlin. The company has said that it also plans to set up new data centers in Germany and other European countries. According to AWS, more than 7.8 billion euros will be invested in the entire project. This investment will not be limited to infrastructure alone, and expectations are also being expressed for job creation and development of technical capabilities at the local level.
Operations and oversight in European hands
AWS says that this new cloud will be operated and monitored by a German company. Only citizens of the European Union will be included in its management and advisory board. The company has also indicated that, in the coming time, EU citizenship will be made mandatory for all employees associated with this cloud.
However, AWS has not yet made it clear whether it is setting any specific customer numbers or market share targets under this service. But the available information does indicate that the company is moving ahead in the direction of strengthening its position on data sovereignty in Europe.
Utkarsh works as a Sub-Editor at 1Tak News. Technology and gadgets are his main beats, and he also tracks automobiles. A graduate of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, he began his journalism career in 2023 and has built experience across digital media platforms like 1Tak. Besides technology, he also has considerable experience covering national affairs, politics, research, and international news.
